100 hour pharmacies

[kemzero]

Are 100 hour pharmacies , responsible for current locum shortages ?

Today some multiple-branches were running with virtually no pharmacists ...only 2 hour pharmacist cover.....although shop claiming P meds or prescriptions weren't being dealt with.....shop not closed or shut down entirely when no pharmacist present..........dread to think what will happen when remote supervison kicks in !

[Linnear]

Did you see C&D a few last week?

100 hour pharmacy in London withdrew its tender due to local pressure on the PCT!

[Jeff]

Are 100 hour pharmacies , responsible for current locum shortages ?

No

Today some multiple-branches were running with virtually no pharmacists ...only 2 hour pharmacist cover.

If they cannot get pharmacist cover at the rates of pay that they offer and with the working conditions that they impose then the blame is entirely theirs.

Jeff

[Pharmanaut]

No


If they cannot get pharmacist cover at the rates of pay that they offer and with the working conditions that they impose then the blame is entirely theirs.

Jeff

Careful with this - might be some hidden agenda...
Such as making good the case for remote supervision with checking technicians....
They only have to put the right spin on it to gain public acceptance.

[Jeff]

Careful with this - might be some hidden agenda...
Such as making good the case for remote supervision with checking technicians....
They only have to put the right spin on it to gain public acceptance.

Yup, and pharmacists need a representative organisation with teeth.

Jeff

[Cherrypicker999]

There is no shortage of locums.
There is only a shortage of pharmacists willing to work at low rates.

Pay a professional fee and then the perceived shortage will vanish.

I don't know what locum rates are, but if they are a mere £22/hour (hardly a professional rate) pay £30 and many will flock to do the work.
Opticians easily get £300/day and they don't have contract limitation.

Contract limitation is unfair, and anti-competetive and the reason for low rates.

What is wrong with opening next door to a existing pharmacy?
Are they scared of free open competition? Do they have such poor service that they cannot cope? The world has competiton.

Contract limitation resulted in lower rates and third world conditions and slave labour. Aspirations and dreams of young pharmacists were destroyed.
Greed of contractors prevailed.

Eg A major chain forcing people to work 10 hours a day without a break and without a stool to sit on. Pathetic. I remember those days.

With contract limitation there should have been safeguards for employees/locums and a minimum rate or FULL DISPENSING FEE as a locum rate, which ever was the greatest.
There has to be a cost to contractors. They cannot be immune from
competition.

Remeber, pay peanuts, get monkeys!

[richtagg]

Today some multiple-branches were running with virtually no pharmacists ...only 2 hour pharmacist cover.....although shop claiming P meds or prescriptions weren't being dealt with.....shop not closed or shut down entirely when no pharmacist present..........dread to think what will happen when remote supervison kicks in !

I spoke to a solicitor about this and she tells me: The terms of 100 hour pharmacies are simple. They must be open for 100 hours or they loose their registration.

What is wrong with opening next door to a existing pharmacy?
Are they scared of free open competition? Do they have such poor service that they cannot cope? The world has competiton.

The consumer in me agrees wholeheartedly with this statement. Why should I have to choose a pharmacy because it's the only one available in my area? I should be able to choose the one with the best service.
Opticians for example often have rival practices a few doors down or even next door. The only problem is that its very difficult to make a decent margin in pharmacy as it is and supermarkets will set up 100 a week pharmacies as a loss making venture at first to attract more business to their stores, making it very difficult for small independents to compete.

Opticians easily get £300/day and they don't have contract limitation.

Damn, I knew I choose the wrong career!

[Cherrypicker999]

But if you cannot accept competition why do you expect to earn any margin.

Is competition dirty? If so, so is a margin.
If any pharmacy expects to make a POR then they must accept full open competition.

[pharm5]

how much does a typical locum pharmacist earn in a month and how many vacations do they a year

[johnep]

how long is a piece of string? Standard locum pay from multiples is £22/hr.

Holidays are unpaid so it is upto you how many you have.

One locum had a flat in Spain and worked six months in Uk and had rest of year off. As only six months, no UK tax.

One of our posters spends winters in a ski chalet.

Joy of locuming ,if you have no mortgage, is doing as you please.
johnep